Columbus Park is hopping with West Side music this month. Larry Taylor and the Soul Blues Healers will perform a blues tribute Friday Aug. 25, at 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 West Jackson Blvd. It's free for all ages, the last in amonthly summer concert series presented by Chicago West Community Music Center.

On Friday Sept. 1, Ike Carothers and Ald. Chris Taliaferro are sponsoring the third annual Blues Fest from 6 to 10 p.m. in Columbus Park, featuring Sharon Monique and the West End 40.

Our next public discussion on Blues, Arts, Culture and Community will be Wed. Aug. 9 , 6 to 8 p.m.at Gone Again Travel and Tours, 5940 W. Chicago Ave. We'll deal with the nuts and bolts of community arts organizing.

Community and nonprofit development consultant Valerie F. Leonard will speak in the second in a series of community forums on how blues, arts and culture can perk up West Side neighborhoods and build morale among residents. This free program Wed. July 12, 6 to 8 p.m, hosted by Crystal Dyer of Gone Again Travel and Tours, 5940 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, http://www.goneagaintravel.com/will focus on arts and culture in the Austin neighborhood.

Sharing real feelings about real-life blues in talk sessions to accompany the release of his new CD, Larry Taylor wants his music to bring people together and pass the good stuff on to new generations.

Thursday Sept. 1, 6 to 10 p.m. at the Columbus Park Refectory, is the second annual 29th Ward Blues Fest, featuring two seasoned bluesmen—Larry Taylor from the West Side and Killer Ray Allison from the South Side.

Isaac "Ike" Carothers, former 29th ward alderman, and the current alderman Chris Taliaferro, are throwing the party , free and open to everyone.